Meet Svetlana

Svetlana runs the kitchen in Haeata, our community dining room. Every morning, 365 days a year, her team prepares hot nourishing meals for as many as 340 people experiencing homelessness and hardship.

For some, breakfast in Haeata is the only meal they’ll have all day. So Svetlana and the team make sure it is filling and nutritious, with an ever-changing menu of cereals, fruit and comforting hot dishes. 

“We love seeing people’s smiles when we serve favourite dishes like boil-up or homemade cake for dessert!” she says. “We understand that the whānau are going through hard times. If we can make their day a little better with a warm, tasty meal, we’re happy to do it.”

But Haeata is so much more than a place to eat. It’s a place of connection, dignity and hope.

“Coming into Haeata for a meal can be a lifeline for our whānau,” Svetlana explains. “It’s a place of warmth and safety for people who would otherwise be cold, hungry and alone. A chance to rest and feel human after a night on the street. A space where they can feel seen and respected – no matter what they’re going through.”

Our peer support workers are always there to make people feel welcome and connect them with the support services available through the Mission. Whether it’s housing, healthcare or simply someone to listen, coming in to Haeata is often the first step on a journey back to wellness.

“I came to the Mission to help our community. I’ve worked as a chef for ten years, but it’s only here at the Mission that I feel complete.”